KUALA LUMPUR: The resettlement of communities which were affected by the Murum Hydroelectric Power (HEP) project saw development benefits.
KUALA LUMPUR: The resettlement of communities which were affected by the Murum Hydroelectric Power (HEP) project saw development benefits.
Nevertheless, they need some improvement in several facilities.
These were the findings of the Human Rights Commission Malaysia (Suhakam) when it visited the SMK Tegulang and two resettlement villages in Tegulang yesterday.
Suhakam Commissioner James Nayagam said development brought to the communities had resulted in an increase in the literacy rate, with children able to attend school at SMK Tegulang; better housing; and, access to electricity and water supply.
“The Penan affected by the Murum project have been issued with the national registration identity cards. Some are able to afford their own transport and there are signs of improvement in the standard of living,” he said in a statement here yesterday.
However, the commission has identified some areas of concern raised by the communities which include the need for longer hours of electricity supply.
Currently, they are getting only six hours of supply, as well as some repair works in the longhouses.
The road condition also needed to be looked into as it had worsened, especially when it rained and led to less students going to school, said Nayagam. — Bernama